Justin Rose honors Payne Stewart with celebratory fist-pump on 18th hole at U.S. Open

Monday, June 16, 2014

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Rickie Fowler paid tribute to Payne Stewart in the opening round of the U.S. Open, and Justin Rose honored Stewart as well in the final round.

On the 18th green where a statue immortalizing Stewart's iconic fist-pump from the 1999 U.S. Open was nearby, Rose rolled in a birdie putt and gave his best impression of the late champion.

"I just tried to have a little fun at that point," Rose said. "I think I did it in practice, I was messing around. Obviously I just wanted to make the putt. As it was going in, I don't know what makes you make the decision so quickly. We hit that putt many times in practice. I was a little further to the right, so I usually go left, rather than straight, as Payne's did. But it had the same feel as Payne's putt."

"It had been a hard round, but just kind of walking up 18, try towards the end of it to realize and appreciate, like I said, you win some, you lose some," Rose said. "And you've got to take the good with the bad. But it was a nice moment. The crowd -- got me a nice reception up 18 there. It was certainly fun to finish that way and in a way honor Payne Stewart. He was always one of my favorite golfers."